At Wimbledon, 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz of Spain made history, emerging as the men’s singles champion in a five-set win over Novak Djokovic, 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, on Sunday (Jul. 16, 2023).
Throughout the nearly five-hour match, both stars showed why they were respectively ranked No. 1 (Alcaraz) and No. 2 (Djokovic) in the world, remaining in points that their peers could not and keeping physical and mental resolve befitting of the game’s best.
There was plenty of history on the line for Djokovic, who would have tied the all-time record for major singles titles (24) and Wimbledon titles (eight). But on the Centre Court grass, Alcaraz shoved experience to the side.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain (L) holds the Men’s Singles Trophy alongside Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) with the Men’s Singles Runner’s Up Plate following the Men’s Singles Final on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
“I lost to a better player and have to move on — stronger, hopefully,” Djokovic said.
After falling decidedly in the first set of the match, Alcaraz stormed back and won an 8-6 tiebreaker in the following set and broke Djokovic’s streak of 14 consecutive tiebreaks won. His efforts continued through the third set, a 6-1 victory, which included a nearly 27-minute marathon point that fell in the Spaniard’s favor.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates victory following the Men’s Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Before the match, Alcaraz said winning Wimbledon would be the best moment of his life. After taking match point with a powerful forehand, Alcaraz collapsed and cupped his head in his hands while stomach-down before shaking hands with Djokovic.
“It’s a dream come true,” Alcaraz said. “To be able to play in this stage, it’s amazing … to reach this situation really fast, I’m really really proud of myself and the team that I have.”
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Carlos Alcaraz of Spain holds the Men’s Singles Trophy following his victory in the Men’s Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Instead of Djokovic, a 36-year-old from Serbia, becoming the oldest male champion at Wimbledon in the Open era, Alcaraz, a 20-year-old from Spain, became the third-youngest. The age gap between the two was the widest in any men’s Slam final since 1974.
There were plenty of celebrities in the crowd to watch Carlos Alcarez defeat Novak Djokovic. Check them out below.
Tom Hiddleston
Actor, Tom Hiddleston is seen in the crowd during the Men’s Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre
English actor Idris Elba (R) and his wife Sabrina Dhowre watch the men’s singles final tennis match between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on the last day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 16, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Andrew Garfield
Actor, Andrew Garfield is seen in the crowd during the Men’s Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig
Actors, Daniel Craig (R) and Rachel Weisz (L) are seen in the Royal Box during the Men’s Singles Final between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Princess Catherine, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, and Prince William
Brad Pitt
US actor Brad Pitt (C) watches the men’s singles final tennis match between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on the last day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 16, 2023. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)US actor Brad Pitt watches the men’s singles final tennis match between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic on the last day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 16, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
James Norton and Imogen Potts
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 16: Actor, James Norton and Imogen Poots are seen in the Royal Box ahead of the Men’s Singles Final between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Jonathan Bailey, Ariana Grande, and Andrew Garfield
